Heatsink configuration and arrangment for inverter and systems, components, and methods thereof

Abstract

A heatsink or heat exchanger for one or more power modules of an inverter or a converter comprises a coolant flow channel, comprised of a plurality of coolant flow channel portions that form a switchback or serpentine flow path, and that is adapted to circulate coolant inside the heat exchanger or heatsink. One or more vents can be provided inside the heat exchanger or heatsink to pass air from one coolant flow channel portion to an adjacent coolant flow channel portion.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An inverter assembly for a power system comprising:
 a cage assembly formed of at least two cages fixed to each other side-by-side in a row so as to define a first end of the cage assembly and a second end of the cage assembly opposite the first end; and 
 a heatsink, having a planar body, extending transversely through an inner volume of each of the at least two cages, from at least the first end of the cage assembly to at least the second end of the cage assembly, 
 wherein the cage assembly and the planar body of the heatsink are oriented vertically such that the cage assembly extends vertically from the first end to the second end thereof, 
 wherein the planar body of the heatsink defines an internal coolant flow path adapted to pass coolant received from an inlet port of the heatsink to an outlet port of the heatsink during operation of the heatsink, 
 wherein the coolant flow path is arranged in a serpentine pattern from the inlet port to the outlet port and is formed by a plurality of flow channel portions, 
 wherein one or more vent openings are provided along the coolant flow path at a first end portion of the heatsink and one or more vent openings are provided along the coolant flow path at a second end portion of the heatsink opposite the first end portion, and 
 wherein each of the vent openings is adapted to pass air and a predetermined amount of the coolant from one flow channel portion to an adjacent flow channel portion of the plurality of flow channel portions. 
 
     
     
       2. The inverter assembly according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the inlet port and the outlet port of the heatsink are provided at the first end portion of the heatsink, and 
 wherein a drain port of the heatsink is provided at the second end portion of the heatsink. 
 
     
     
       3. The inverter assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more vent openings at each of the first end portion and the second end portion of the heat sink is square with a 3×3 mm cross section. 
     
     
       4. The inverter assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more vent openings at the first end portion of the heatsink include a plurality of the vent openings, said vent openings at the first end portion being spaced from each other in a width direction of the planar body of the heatsink. 
     
     
       5. The inverter assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more vent openings at the second end portion of the heatsink include a plurality of the vent openings, said vent openings at the second end portion being spaced from each other in a width direction of the planar body of the heatsink. 
     
     
       6. The inverter assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined amount of the coolant through each of the vent openings is less than an amount of coolant through each of the adjacent flow channel portions. 
     
     
       7. The inverter assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the cage assembly with the heatsink are fixed to a tractor, between ripper arms of the tractor, in the vertical orientation. 
     
     
       8. The inverter assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more power modules fixed to a first mounting surface of the heatsink and/or one or more power modules fixed to a second mounting surface of the heatsink opposite the first mounting surface. 
     
     
       9. The inverter assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more vent openings at the first end portion of the heatsink and each of the one or more vent openings at the second end portion of the heatsink are provided at respective turn portions of the coolant flow path.